Husband and I are heading to our first RS tour (Alpine Europe) in 3 weeks. I’ve read in the tour scrapbooks that the tour manager arranges optional group dinners and would like to know if anyone here has participated in these activities and how they work. How far ahead are they announced and how much, and whether alcohol is included or separate. Do most members of the group opt into them?
While I can eat just about anything, my husband is severely limited in what and how much he can eat. Bother of us consume little or no alcohol.
Thanks.
Posted by
West Coast
471 posts
I have been on two MyWay tours, Spain and Alpine Europe and loved both. A big plus of the format for me is not having to attend group dinners - I, too, have challenging dietary restrictions, feel ill if I eat past 5 and don't drink. Plus I am anti- social :)
I do vaguely remember the group dinner option being offered and I didn't join, which was no problem.
But you will know the restaurant ahead of time, to check with the guide about the menu. (I found restaurants in Europe to be stringent with labeling potential allergians, if you do consider attending.)
Posted by
177 posts
Hello,
I've been on 2 MWAlpine tours with RS and loved them both! You will be so glad you took this tour! Not sure who your guide is but we had Laurel both times and she is AWESOME!
We attended the group dinner the first year but opted out the 2nd time. The first year, our group was really cohesive and everyone got along superbly. The 2nd year, not a bad one in the bunch but just not as friendly with one another so we did something else that night. From what I remember, the dinner is not included and you pay for what you consume. Plenty of people were not drinking alcohol. It's pretty common, I've found in my 3 RS tours that there are always at least 2 or 3 in the groups that don't drink any alcohol and the guide always made sure they were given something else they would enjoy. I do remember several people needed special dietary needs to be considered and everyone was happy. Both years, the meal was in our Fussen stop at the hotel. The food was really excellent!
Prost!
~Mitzi
Posted by
Galt, CA
59 posts
We just went on the My Way France tour. The tour guide who was great arranged a group dinner that was optional. He told us about it and when it would be so we could be thinking about it. The next time he told us what the menu choices were, how much it would cost and he had a sign up sheet. There were two choices for a starter, two choices for an entree and two choices for a dessert. If you had dietary needs like vegetarian or vegan etc. to list that down. Dinner came with one glass of wine also. There were only 21 tour members total and I believe we all attended. Each tour member paid the restaurant on their own after the dinner. The tour guide also arranged two happy hours. Those included a glass of wine and a shared appetizer. We also had a couple of picnics where we all came with our own food. The first one the guide purchased some drinks and had all the paper supplies for a picnic The second picnic he again had the paper supplies needed for a picnic. A couple of times he purchased cookies to share with all of us while stopped at one of the rest stops. I believe the cookies were gluten free but not real sure because I didn’t participate in the cookie snack. Our tour mates were so fun and all so lovely. Sure do miss them and our tour guide.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17182 posts
"Each tour member paid the restaurant on their own after the dinner."
I've not done a My Way but have done several optional dinners on regular tours. We all paid the restaurant separately.